Key matchups: Ohio State vs. Purdue

Friday

Nov 1, 2013 at 8:17 PM

Here are the key matchups for Saturday's Big Ten game between Ohio State and Purdue.

Ohio State vs. Itself

For whatever reason, the Buckeyes do not play well against the Boilermakers or Purdue saves its best games of the season for OSU. Whether Urban Meyer believes in it or not (he probably does), style points right now are important. Ohio State doesn’t just need to win; it needs to win big to impress poll voters as other teams in the top 10 play opponents who seem to be slowing down the scoreboard. The Buckeyes have to get off to a fast start. Another three-touchdown first quarter would certainly put pressure on Purdue’s true freshman QB to keep up and probably force mistakes.

RB Carlos Hyde vs. LB Joe Gilliam

Gilliam has only 20 tackles this season. OSU’s offensive line is playing some of the best interior football the Buckeyes have seen in the last 20 years. That line has to handle 300-pound DT Bruce Gaston. Hyde is proving he doesn’t need large holes to run through off tackle, but he makes the most out of small seams into the second level. Purdue’s DBs aren’t big, so Hyde is capable of a big day if he gets to those guys. During the last three games, Hyde has gained 464 yards and is averaging 7 yards a carry. Purdue’s run defense is giving up almost 5 yards per carry and is one of the worst in the country. The defense also struggles to get off the field. On third down and 3 yards or fewer, the Boilermakers are giving up 6 yards a carry.

WR Devin Smith vs. CB Ricardo Allen

Allen probably is Purdue’s best defender. But he has a big problem today: He is only 5-foot-9. Smith is 6-1 and plays taller because of his athleticism. Defenses have played soft coverage against Smith and that likely will stay the same today. But Smith has been getting open on crossing routes. Allen has two picks this season.

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